USC Village Project Incorporates Geo-Seal & Vapor Vent as Part of $700 million Student Residential Construction

Project Highlights

A Geo-Seal barrier system was installed to prevent potential vapor exposure as part of the $700 million University of Southern California (USC) student residential village project.

USC was able to stay on-time and on-budget while eliminating any future exposure to vapor intrusion.

A Geo-Seal barrier system was installed to prevent potential vapor exposure as part of the $700 million University of Southern California (USC) student residential village project.

Geo-Seal vapor barrier provides the new student residential colleges with the highest level of protection against vapor intrusion

Project Summary

As a part of the ongoing growth of the University of Southern California (USC) and in order to continue to attract top student talent, the University elected to invest $700 million in a new Residential Village. This village houses residential colleges, retail spaces, recreational facilities, and learning spaces. The USC trustees, alumni, parents, and friends envisioned the Residential Village to be a living and learning environment unlike any other, incorporating the latest technology with an inspiring aesthetic.

In every step of this expansion, the concern for student’s health and safety was the leading priority. This concern for safety, paired with a vision of a world-class living and learning environment, inspired the developers to incorporate preventative measures including Geo-Seal into their design and construction plans. The developers wanted a product that would meet or exceed regulatory standards for vapor intrusion. They chose Geo-Seal because its composite technology provides multiple layers of protection and the lowest diffusion rates in the industry. As a result, prior to laying the foundation, Land Science’s Geo-Seal vapor barriers were installed to prevent any potential methane vapor exposure.

Technology Description

Geo-Seal is a vapor intrusion barrier which is placed between the foundation of the building and the soil pad. Geo-Seal is a three-part system which combines two layers of chemically resistant high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with a spray applied core layer as well as a venting system.

Results

It was important to the developers and supporters of this project that the Residential Village incorporate the best technology to foster a safe and healthy environment while staying on time and on-budget. With the Geo-Seal barrier system in place, USC can be assured that the students in the Residential Village are safe from any future harmful vapor intrusion. Installing Geo-Seal as a precautionary and preventative measure ensures that this development remains a place that is conducive for students to live, learn, work, and play.